There is more to Africa Tsoai than being the original TV playboy, thanks to his nuanced portrayal of the casanova characters of John Maputla and Tsokotla.
Aside from Skeem Saam and Mokgonyana Mmatswale not much is documented on Google search about the 53-year-old actor’s fascinating life. To my surprise, I uncover during our heart-to-heart chat that he’s been a taxi owner for more than 20 years.
Away from the small screen Tsoai has lived a private life, avoiding media interviews throughout his entertainment career that spans more than 30 years. But all of that changes as soon as he jumps on the telephone line with me, fresh off filming a scene on Skeem Saam.
Tsoai immediately cautions that he’s not a “media person” and he’s nervous to be chatting to me. Though extremely guarded at first, he gradually relaxes as he welcomes me into his world.
This is a man who is not on social media and never uses emojis. He has for years been trying to unsuccessfully take down a fake Facebook account posing as his.
“I hear from the youngsters that I was trending the other day. They told me that I was trending number one, after [Jacob] Zuma,” Tsoai says.
He’s of course referring to the latest storyline on Skeem Saam that has rocked both social media and television viewers in which Maputla’s dirty little secret has been haunting him.
Did Maputla really father Zamokuhle “Kwaito” Seakamela (Clement Maosa) – the son of Mantuli (Dieketseng Mnisi), who happens to be BFFs with his onscreen wife, Meikie’s (Harriet Manamela)?
This is a new low for Maputla in the eyes of viewers, following his adulterous affair with Charity Ramabu (Makgofe Moagi) in 2017 that had him acting like a lovesick teenager.
Needless to say, Tsoai has sold the storyline to soap opera fans.
“It is a nice feeling to hear that our people are receiving the story well and we are reflective of society,” Tsoai observes.
This is hardly the first time that Tsoai has taken on a taboo storyline that unearths bedroom politics. His career has been synonymous with such characters and it all started with television drama Dibe.
Then came Tsokotla, a smooth and charming taxi driver that dribbled mother and daughter. What an f-boy! I imagine that would be the reaction of the TikTok generation to that love triangle.
“I realised that every time the SABC replays Mokgonyana Mmatswale it once again becomes a topic of discussion on social media. I realised then I’m still relevant,” Tsoai says.
“I have felt typecast, but I thought if I execute it right, let the people enjoy it because if you are doing something and people don’t talk you worry.”
I have felt typecast, but I thought if I execute it right, let the people enjoy it because if you are doing something and people don’t talk you worry
The eldest of two boys, Tsoai was born in Graskop but raised in Meadowlands, Soweto. He fell in love with acting in high school between 1980 and 1985.
After matric he started modelling and appeared in TV commercials. Around the same time, he was an extra in a number of military films shot in SA. Tsoai got to work with prolific names such as Joey Ford, Ronnie Isaacs, Peter Fonda and Isaac Mavimbela.
But his big acting break came in 1989 when he was cast in local drama Dawson Goes Home. From there the roles came flowing as he worked closely with former Safritel – SABC’s in-house production arm that helmed many local shows.
Ever wondered why Tsoai vanished from TV screens for over 10 years before his acting comeback on Skeem Saam? That’s because he had a huge squabble with Safritel that left him disillusioned and quitting acting.
“I had given up on acting. My tiff with Safritel was a big thing and because I’m not a media person no-one got to hear about it,” Tsoai says.
During his acting hiatus Tsoai focused on his career as a businessman. He’s been a taxi owner for over 20 years and he’s a member of the Dorljota Taxi Association in Roodepoort on the West Rand.
“Anything that I do is out of passion, even in business. As long as I put money into it and invest, then it becomes a passion,” Tsoai says.
“But obviously the taxi industry is dangerous, you are always looking over your shoulders and paying attention to who you are associating with. We have had wars, but with God’s grace I’m still here.”
It took convincing from Tsoai’s mother [they are very close] to see him stage his acting comeback when Skeem Saam came knocking in 2011. When he later learned that the show was created by Winnie Serite, a female, that excitement pushed him out of his acting retirement.
“I was dragging my feet and if I didn’t get that call in the presence of my mother I don’t think I would have come back to acting,” Tsoai shares.
“At the time, I was doing line-ups for SABC sports, then I got a call about a character in a new show called Skeem Saam.
“There was no need for an audition, I did a screen test with three female actors (Manamela, Grace Mahlaba and Molobane Mbatha). They went with Harriet.
“The interaction with my fellow actors has been amazing. It’s truly like a family and I get excited in the morning to get up and go to work.”
Tsoai has also had a successful career in the advertising industry, having obtained a qualification from Rudolph College in graphic design and sound engineering from In House Records.
He is a father of four and he’s currently not married.
Fact file: Africa Tsoai
Favourite food: Pap and morogo
Favourite actor: Lydia Mokgokoloshi
Favourite musician: Ray Phiri
Favourite TV show: Mind Your Language
Top three movies on my playlist:
Ronin
Heat
A Day in the Life
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